By Matt Underwood Sorry, Republicans: ‘Democratic socialist’ is no longer a career-ender in US politics. It seems like the narrative is shifting, doesn’t it? The old boogeyman of “democratic socialist” is losing its power, and even Republicans are noticing. They’ve apparently switched gears back to “communist,” but the fact remains: the political landscape is changing. Bernie Sanders played a significant role in making democratic socialism more acceptable in America, and a lot of people actually like his political stances. Promoting the general welfare, something that used to be a point of debate, is now often associated with “Democratic Socialist” ideals. This shift is a sign of societal progress, a constant evolution driven by humanity’s long march forward.
Conservatives, as history shows, can’t hold back the tide of progress forever. Ironically, figures like Trump might have inadvertently sped up this process. The pushback against the far right is actually fueling the embrace of more left-leaning ideologies. It’s almost as if the right wing’s extreme tactics have unintentionally cleared a path for the left. It’s a bit of a twisted dynamic, but that’s politics for you. The focus should be on the values and policies, not just the labels.
The use of “socialism” can be a loaded term. Many people don’t fully understand what it means, often confusing it with communism or not realizing the benefits of programs like Medicare or SNAP. They may not recognize that they benefit from them. Millennials and Gen Z are also increasingly open to alternative economic models because they haven’t experienced the same economic benefits as older generations, and the trend seems likely to continue for Gen Alpha. This opens the door for new ideas to gain traction.
Democratic socialists often aim for a minimum standard of living. It’s the maximum standard of living that the right wing folks seem to take issue with. But there’s a real question of whether the term “socialist” is the most effective choice. For example, it might be off-putting to some Latino voters, who associate it with countries like Venezuela. Why use a word that might hinder your chances of winning? When one side of the political spectrum pushes too far in one direction, the other side will react, and the pendulum will swing in the other direction. It is a natural process.
Perhaps the biggest hurdle for democratic socialists is within the Democratic party itself. Some Democrats seem more intent on sabotaging progressive efforts than actually fighting the right. The old guard in the Democratic Party is often the obstacle. The reality is, if the Democrats had been doing their job effectively, there wouldn’t be such a need for Democratic Socialists in the first place. The party has been accused of selling out to corporate interests, and that’s why some people feel there’s a need for a new “people’s party.”
The fact is, neither blatant fascism, nor being a convicted felon, seems to be a career ender for Republicans, which is why it’s fair to say that Democrats need to get their heads on straight. This is another area where Sanders’ influence is important. He never shied away from the “socialist” label, and he deserves credit for making this particular political shift.